Afcon soccer tourney gives Egypt chance for glory both on, off field
Egypt is getting only a small amount of time to prepare for Afcon 2019, but the major soccer tournament could pay off big time.
CAIRO — Egypt will be hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) soccer tournament this summer, a major event that presents the country with a challenge, but also an opportunity to return to the international sports-hosting spotlight.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Jan. 8 named Egypt to host Afcon, replacing Cameroon, which defeated Egypt for the tournament title at the 2017 event in Gabon. Cameroon was stripped of its 2019 Afcon hosting rights because of delays in completing the necessary construction and infrastructure work. There have also been concerns about separatist violence.
The late change means Egypt will face a short, demanding preparation schedule for the June 15 to July 12 tournament, perhaps complicated by the league's decision to expand Afcon from 16 teams to 24 beginning this year. And there is always the danger of political unrest and violence.
A massive riot broke out in 2012 at Port Said Stadium following a soccer match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly. More than 70 people were killed. Also, in 2015, at least 20 Zamalek fans were killed in a stampede outside Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.
